Which place is cheaper, Sapporo or Busan (Pusan)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo?
Busan (Pusan)
An important port city in South Korea, Busan is known for its beaches, mountains, and temples. With a thriving harbor, the city's main revenue comes from international shipping, although the area is quite popular with tourists from all over the globe, too. The place is bustling with sailors from around the world as well as tourists who come to enjoy the culture of this modern and dynamic city.
Sapporo
Capital of the northern Japanese island Hokkaido, Sapporo is a city surrounded by mountains and known for its beer, skiing, and annual snow festival with stunning ice sculptures. As host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the city limits are dotted with ski jumps, hills, and popular ski resorts still in use today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to South Korea, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Seoul, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBusan (Pusan) $86Sapporo $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Busan (Pusan) is $86, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $106. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Busan (Pusan) and Sapporo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBusan (Pusan) $39Sapporo $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBusan (Pusan) $78Sapporo $126
Compare Hotels in Busan (Pusan) and Sapporo
Looking for a hotel in Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Busan (Pusan) Hotel Prices and Sapporo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20Sapporo $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Busan (Pusan):
- Busan Airport to Busan Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
- Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan - Arrival Private Transfer: $119
- Busan to Busan Gimhae Airport (PUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
- Private Transfer from Busan hotels to Busan Cruise Port: $84
- Private Transfer from Busan Cruise Port to Busan Hotels: $84
- Private Transfer from Busan Gimhae Int Airport(PUS) to Busan Port: $79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $37
- New Chitose Airport ↔ Sapporo, Best Transfer Pick up Service : $66
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $93
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $119
- [Airport Transfer] Smoothly move between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with a private car! one way: $135
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $143
- Horseback-Riding in a Country Side in Sapporo - Private Transfer is Included: $154
- Private Transfer from Sapporo hotels to Muroran Cruise Port: $158
- SkyExpress Private Transfer: Sapporo to Otaru (8 Passengers): $289
- Private Transfer: between Sapporo and Upopoy: $467
Is it cheaper to fly into Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo?
Prices for flights to both Sapporo and Busan (Pusan) change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBusan (Pusan) $26Sapporo $30
Typical Food Prices in Busan (Pusan)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
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McDonald's$4.48
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Carp Bread$0.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Busan (Pusan)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Busan (Pusan).
- Busan history and market food tour with local chef: $49
- Korean cooking class in Haeundae, Busan : $95
- Busan Seafood Tour & Dinner with Busan Oppa: $105
- Kkakdugi(Korean radish Kimchi) Cooking class at Busan : $110
- Enjoy tailored Korean cooking class with Ocean view at Busan: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo
For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Market Tour, Cooking Class and Lunch with a Local in Sapporo: $82
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $82
- Japanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Local Professional in her Lovely Home: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Busan (Pusan) $20Sapporo $16
Tours and Activities in Busan (Pusan)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Busan (Pusan) are as follows:
- Full Day Private Guided Tour in Hidden Spot, Daegu: $180
- 2-Day Busan East and South Private Tour: $300
- 4Hour Tour From Seokbulsa Temple To Geumjeongsan Fortress: $90
- Adventures in Blossoms: Daegu E-World Cherry Blossoms Tour: $77
- Beomeosa Temple and Hongbeopsa Temple Tour and local market tour: $81
- Busan City Tour - Haedong Yonggung Temple And Shopping in Lotte Premium Outlet: $289
- Busan City Tour Including Haedong Yonggungsa Temple And APEC House: $290
- Busan Custom-made Car Tour （Private Tour）: $187
- Busan Essential Private Tour with Heaedong Yonggungsa and Gamcheon Village: $240
- Busan Glowing Panorama Private Night Tour for Max 6 Guests: $300
- Busan Guided Small Group Tour for Up to 6 Cruise Guests.: $99
- Busan Hidden Gems Private Guided Tour: $89
Tours and Activities in Sapporo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.
- JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.04
- Hand-rolled sushi experience tour at Sapporo Nijo Market: $44
- Sapporo Morning Walking Tour: $46
- Nopporo Forest Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo, presenting a retro Cycle cap: $50
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $53
- Experience traditional Japanese cuisine, making soba noodles in Sapporo, in a fun and casual way.: $53
- Japanese buckwheat noodle making experience in Sapporo,japan: $57
- Popular No.1! Soba Making Experience and Tempura Plan: $60
- Mondo's most popular plan! Experience making soba noodles and the king of Japanese cuisine, tempura, in Sapporo!: $62
- Mountain Bike Tour from Sapporo Including Hoheikyo Onsen and Lunch: $68
- Personalized Experience with a Local: $69
- in Sapporo! Hand-made soba experience and shabu-shabu experience plan of Yezo deer meat (Gibier meat) from Hokkaido: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBusan (Pusan) $12Sapporo $7.98
Sample the Local Flavors in Busan (Pusan)
Also in Busan (Pusan), these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Busan Pub Crawl: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Busan (Pusan) and Sapporo, we can see that Sapporo is more expensive. And not only is Busan (Pusan) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Busan (Pusan) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Busan (Pusan) and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sapporo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sapporo than you might in Busan (Pusan).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Busan (Pusan) Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo?
Busan (Pusan) has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Sapporo. When comparing the sizes of Busan (Pusan) and Sapporo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Busan (Pusan) as well as Sapporo. Also, many travelers come to Sapporo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Busan (Pusan) is a little warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Sapporo averages at about 21°C (69°F).
In the summer, Busan (Pusan) often gets less sunshine than Sapporo. Busan (Pusan) gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.
Busan (Pusan) receives a lot of rain in the summer. Busan (Pusan) usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Busan (Pusan) gets 257 mm (10.1 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBusan (Pusan) 25°C (77°F)Sapporo 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo in the Autumn?
Both Sapporo and Busan (Pusan) are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Busan (Pusan) is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Busan (Pusan) average around 18°C (65°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Busan (Pusan). Busan (Pusan) usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during autumn. Busan (Pusan) gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 156 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sapporo. In October, Busan (Pusan) usually receives less rain than Sapporo. Busan (Pusan) gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBusan (Pusan) 18°C (65°F)Sapporo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo in the Winter?
Both Sapporo and Busan (Pusan) during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Sapporo can be very cold during winter. Busan (Pusan) can get quite cold in the winter. Busan (Pusan) is much warmer than Sapporo in the winter. The daily temperature in Busan (Pusan) averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).
It's quite sunny in Busan (Pusan). In the winter, Busan (Pusan) often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Busan (Pusan) gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 99 hours of full sun.
Sapporo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Busan (Pusan) usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Busan (Pusan) gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBusan (Pusan) 3°C (38°F)Sapporo -5°C (24°F)
Should I visit Busan (Pusan) or Sapporo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Busan (Pusan) and Sapporo. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Busan (Pusan) is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Busan (Pusan) in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Sapporo averages at about 7°C (44°F).
Busan (Pusan) usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sapporo during spring. Busan (Pusan) gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
Busan (Pusan) gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Busan (Pusan) usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Busan (Pusan) gets 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBusan (Pusan) 14°C (57°F)Sapporo 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Sapporo and Busan (Pusan)
| Busan (Pusan) | Sapporo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 257 mm (10.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.